The Battle of Lexington

A Sermon and Eyewitness Narrative

About the Author

Jonas Clark was born on Christmas day, marking
his life in obedience to Jesus Christ. Rev. Clark graduated from Cambridge in 1752
and was ordained in Lexington three years later.
In addition to being a full time clergyman, he was
an industrious, hard-working farmer as well. He
cultivated sixty acres of land, which he still owned
at the end of his life.

As the pastor of the church at Lexington, he
typically gave four sermons a week, written out and
orally presented—nearly 2200 sermons in his lifetime. He witnessed the first outbreak of the War for
Independence at Lexington.

Rev. William Ware of Cambridge, MA. stated: "It can be regarded only
as a singularly happy circumstance that, as Lexington
was to be the place where resistance to the power
of England was first to occur, and the great act of
a declaration of war first to be made by the act of
the people in the blood to be there shed, making
the place forever famous in history, the minister of
Lexington should have been a man of the principles,
character, courage, and energy of Mr. Clark."

On the 233rd anniversary of the infamous Battle of Lexington (April 19, 2008) in Irvine, CA, Brad Dacus, President of Pacific Justice Institute at its annual Celebration of Justice banquet, and Publisher Jerry Nordskog (PJI Advisory Board) present a signed copy of the book with Patriot Pastor Jonas Clark’s sermon, to modern day Black Regiment (Patriot Pastor) Ron Gleason of Grace Presbyterian Church (Yorba Linda, CA) who is also President of California Exodus for his patriotism and commitment to Christ.

Have you ever wondered who fired "the shot heard round the
world" that fateful morning of April 19, 1775? Who were those brave men who
stood against the best-trained army in the world? This book contains Jonas
Clark's Sermon on the one-year anniversary and his eyewitness narrative of
those events. None other but Jonas Clark could give such an accounting, for he
was the pastor of those "embattled farmers" who stood their ground. Clark is
herein giving an honest and accurate accounting of the Battle of Lexington. He
is also giving testimony of the events of April 19 and answers the great question,
"Who fired the first shot?"

There was no better-prepared place to inaugurate the first
battle of the War for Independence than the little village of Lexington. For
pastor Clark "discussed from the pulpit the great questions at issue, and that
powerful voice thundered forth the principles of personal, civil, and religious
liberty, and the right of resistance, in tones as earnest and effective as it
had the doctrines of salvation by the cross." (J. T. Headley, Heroes of
Liberty: Chaplains and Clergy of the American Revolution, 21.) "It was to
the congregation, educated by such a man, that Providence allowed to be
entrusted the momentous events of April 19, events which were to decide the
fate of a continent—that of civil liberty the world over." (Headley, 23)

Today, the Battle of Lexington is
little spoken of, for as a nation we have forgotten our history. We have
neglected the heroes of our freedom and liberty. But there was a time when this
day was remembered and odes were written to commemorate the occasion. Paul
Revere's Ride and the Concord Hymn are two examples. (See Appendix,
pages 75–88.) Our history books no longer tell the true story of Lexington, so
we must.

America is perishing for the need of
preachers who apply God's holy Word to every area of life including personal,
civil, and religious liberty. The Church needs more pastors like Jonas Clark, a
preacher who taught the great doctrines of salvation in Christ alone and the
Biblical right to resistance, which gave his congregation courage to stand in
the face of great odds. The Battle of Lexington should inspire every man, in
all stations of life, to stand and make a difference.—Rev. Christopher Hoops, Theology Editor for Nordskog Publishing

What Readers are Saying

"...I enjoyed reading this book and will be keeping it on the bookshelf for required reading when my children and I study the American Revolution in our home school."

— Sarah Bailey

It's American History Month, a great time to read recent books about the American Revolution!

"The Battle of Lexington : a sermon and eyewitness narrative" by Jonas Clark, pastor, Church of Lexington (Nordskog Publishing)

The original title of this book was "The Fate of Blood-thirsty Oppressors, and GOD's Tender Care of His Distressed People, 1776". The little book also contains four poems about the era : "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; "Lexington" by Oliver Wendell Holms; "Lexington" by John Greenleaf Whittier; and "Concord Hymn" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This remarkable document is told by a pastor who found eight of his parishioners dead and many more wounded in the aftermath of the Battle of Lexington, where was fired "the shot heard 'round the world." Everything in the world changed on that day . Now we have an eyewitness to tell us about this earth-shattering event! Pastor Jonas Clark's witness reminds us that we must stand and make a difference for the Lord.

The history minor in me loves period documents. This small book contains the sermon and eye-witness narrative of Pastor Jonas Clark, delivered on the one-year anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. For those who need a quick review: the Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first skirmishes between the British Red Coats and the Massachusetts militia because the British were out to take the store weapons of the militia.

The book opens with a short biography of Pastor Clark, an impressive man. Then the sermon follows. The language is true to the time, so not easy for young children to read. However, it will give a great flavor of the era to middle-school and high-school students.
The second half of the book contains Pastor Clark's eyewitness account of the battle. The slim volume ends with an appendix of four poems that memorialize the battle: Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Lexington by Oliver Wendall Holmes, Lexington by John Greenleaf Whittier, and Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This book is a nice supplement for middle- or high-school students who are studying the American Revolution. The volume will add a nice first-person account of this pivotal battle that in many ways launched the war. Cara Putman

...In the early years of our Republic, the events surrounding the Battles of Lexington and Concord were staples of the patriotic diets of Americans. The great Schoolroom Poets of the middle of the 1800s all turned their poetic muses to celebrating this part of our heritage. Best known among the poems are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride" and Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Concord Bridge" (which contains the unforgettable line about the farmers firing "the shot heard 'round the world."

One of the best ways to get a first-hand look at the events of April 19, 1775 is to read The Battle of Lexington: A Sermon and Eyewitness Narrative by Pastor Jonas Clark of the Church of Lexington. This work was originally titled The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors and God's Tender Care of His Distressed People after the sermon was preached on the first anniversary of the battle.

Nordskog Publishing has re-printed Pastor Clark's sermon and personal experiences at the battle of Lexington. Nordskog is a Christian publishing company that has published a number of practical Christian books that apply Christian thinking to all areas of life. This particular publication includes some introductory materials and four of the poems (including the two I named above) that were written in celebration of the events...
Read More at HouseBlog»

I appreciate the scholarship of Nordskog Publishing by bringing the April 19, 1776 sermon of Patriot Pastor Jonas Clark in the beautifully produced "The Battle of Lexington".

This sermon, although 232 years old, is very much needed for today as it describes how a people can become far from life in CHRIST and how they can be restored to THE FATHER'S will... it is about what we today call revival.
This sermon message describes the proper role of government in men's lives and what happens when government becomes tyrannical.

The Battle of Lexington is about the cause of mankind... freedom, liberty and reliance on THE GOD of THE BIBLE... even its colorful cover elicits an American response which touches posterity.

This book and the associated appendix is a must have. As a direct descendant myself of The Founding Fathers and having been born in Lexington, I am giving this book to every preacher, legislator and patriot that I can afford to.

As a companion to "Lexington", I also recommend "GOD'S Ten Commandments". One can not understand America's foundations with out the truth expressed in this little book with a very big message. Both books are economically priced and sized just right to be handed out for
pocket carrying.

No other king but KING JESUS!
Garrett Lear "The Patriot Pastor"

Have you ever wondered who fired the shot heard round the world that fateful morning of April 19, 1775? Who were those brave men that stood against the best trained army in the world? The following is Jonas Clark's Sermon and his eyewitness of those events. None other but Jonas Clark could give such an accounting,as he was the pastor of those embattled farmers who stood their ground. Clark is giving an honest accounting of the Battle of Lexington. This book is a good look at the way pastors used to preach and I remember them doing so.

America is perishing for the need of preachers who apply Gods Holy Word to every area of life . The Church needs more pastors like Jonas Clark, a preacher who taught the great doctrines of salvation in Christ. We need pastors today that are not afraid of stepping on someones toes or offending a life style that is taught to be so bad in the Bible. It seems today that everything goes and there is no morals anymore, not even in our churches. Old Satan is just sitting back and laughing at all the people he is getting.

I found this to be extremely interesting. Forced to memorize battle dates, outcomes, and commanders in high school I often sank into the muck of memorization for the purpose of passing a test. History so often was just that - an impersonal memorization of dates. I have long been fascinated by the personal side of history - taking to heart God's command for Israel to pass down from generation to generation the works of the Lord (their history). I believe hidden behind the dates and outcomes lay important and overlooked details of God's provision and love - and lessons that must be taught and learned.

The Battle of Lexington would have meant more to me had I read this book as a high school student. I would have done more than memorize the date and outcome. Like the diary of Anne Frank is required reading when studying the horrors of the Holocaust and Hitler's frightening rise to communistic power - so should this book be required reading when studying the American History.

Within this sermon and the eyewitness account are hidden deep spiritual truths that are foundational to every person's life. A young reader is invited to experience firsthand the atrocities of war and the price of liberty. They are invited to see Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord is my banner) shine in battle as His provisional security and grace are accomplished in the midst of innocent bloodshed. One cannot but help feel a wave of patriotism well up inside as one reads this amazing sermon. It is as applicable today as it was in 1776 - Jonas Clark calls his people to repent and acknowledge God's sovereign reign, to accept the Lord's chastisement for wrongs, and to take hope in God's promise of deliverance in the midst of terrible times.

I will say that I recommend this highly for high school and maybe junior high. The language and content may be more difficult for a young elementary age student to fully take in and appreciate. I look forward to having my children memorize parts of this sermon and the included poems as part of their history.

As a history lover, I was drawn to The Battle of Lexington: A Sermon and Eyewitness Narrative by Jonas Clark. Originally titled, The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors and God's Tender Care of His Distressed People, this book includes a sermon given by Clark on the one year anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, in which was fired "the shot heard round the world." Also included is Clark's eyewitness narrative of the battle where America's War for Independence began.

A thought-provoking Introduction is provided by Reverend Christopher Hoops, and the eyewitness account is followed by five pages of Endnotes, and an Appendix featuring four poems: Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Lexington by Oliver Wendell Holmes,Lexington by John Greenleaf Whittier, and Concord Hymn ("shot heard round the world") by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I memorized Paul Revere's Ride in high school, and it's one of my all-time favorite narrative poems. I've used it for a public speaking class and in a writing workshop with our third graders who were studying the American Revolution.

While I enjoyed this book for its celebration of an important part of America's history, I was surprised to find in Clark's sermon, lessons that could be applied to our modern world. His discussion on how God cares for His people and seeks justice for those who are oppressed would make for a good sermon today.

If you like historical accounts or want to teach your teen reader about the start of the American Revolution, The Battle of Lexington by Jonas Clark would be an excellent book to read.